re: What To Do with Smoked Salmon?

Get this every time I go here:
Q: I love the salmon chips [at Two Urban Licks]. It is without a doubt the best appetizer I have ever tasted.

-- Barbara Hester Bishop, Stone Mountain



A: Chef Scott Serpas said he was "playing around" with ingredients the summer before Two Urban Licks opened when he came up with his Smoked Salmon Chips - chipotle-spiked cream cheese spread over broad house-made potato chips, topped with smoked salmon and accompanying garnishes. The dish has proved so popular, it merits a designated staffer in the kitchen. "Sometimes on a Friday or a Saturday night, there's one guy doing just that one dish, and maybe one other, " Serpas said.



Hands on time: 30 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Serves: 8 (4 chips each)

Ingredients:
2 Idaho potatoes, scrubbed
Vegetable oil for frying
Dry spice seasoning, such as Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning
Chipotle Cream Cheese (see recipe)
8 ounces smoked salmon
1 small red onion, diced
2 ounces capers, drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives



Chipotle Cream Cheese
1 1/2 cups
Hands on: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes

3 ounces ( 1/2 small can) chipotles in adobo sauce
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
Juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Instructions:
Smoked Salmon Chips:
Preheat a fryer to 350 degrees. Using a mandoline or a very sharp knife, slice the potatoes lengthwise, 1/16 inch thick. Fry in oil on both sides until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with seasoning. Cool to warm or room temperature.
To assemble, spread about 1 teaspoon Chipotle Cream Cheese on one side of each chip. Top with a small piece of salmon (about 1/2 tablespoon). Sprinkle with red onion, capers and chives.


Chipotle Cream Cheese:
Place the chipotles and sauce in a food processor and puree until smooth. Add cream cheese and lime juice and process well. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add chives, salt and sugar and pulse until well-combined.